Governor Mark Dayton on Wednesday delivered the 2013 State of the State address to a joint session of the legislature. The Governor’s speech laid out a vision for investing in our state’s future, fixing our broken tax system and strengthening the middle class. In response, leaders from around Minnesota lauded the Governor for this vision:

“Tonight, Governor Dayton called on the legislature to take the next step toward a sustainable energy future for Minnesota. By building on Minnesota’s nation-leading efforts in energy conservation and renewable energy, we can secure a cleaner, brighter future for our state, and leave behind a better Minnesota for the next generation.” — Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon

“I agree with the Governor’s assessment on this important issue at this historic event. Minnesotans spoke clearly last year about this issue and told us the values that unite us are more important than those that divide us—that marriage is about love, commitment and responsibility. The state budget and our economy are the focus at the start of this session, as they should be. There is also room at the right time to have this conversation, which, consistent with everything else the legislature is working on, is really all about helping families do well.” — Senator Scott Dibble (District 61, DFL-Minneapolis)

“The Governor spoke from the heart tonight about the serious challenges facing our state and provided a clear vision for Minnesota’s future based on our shared goal to erase the state’s billion dollar deficit and make targeted investments that will set Minnesota on a course for long-term prosperity. As the Governor rightly pointed out, trying to cut our way to prosperity is a failed experiment. For more than a decade, Minnesota has been in a constant cycle of crisis management, facing budget deficits in 8 of the last 11 years. Whether or not you agree with every aspect of the Governor’s proposal, it is clear that the status quo is not an option. Governor Dayton is finally providing the kind of leadership that will keep Minnesota on top in the 21st century. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature and Governor Dayton as we work together on tackling these tremendous challenges and making the difficult decisions that will shape the future of Minnesota.” — Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk

“We share the Governor’s desire to set aside the status quo and take action to put our state on a path to long-term economic prosperity. That is what Minnesotans expect from us and we are excited for the opportunity to work together with the Governor to move our state forward.” — Speaker Paul Thissen

“In Governor Dayton’s State of the State address, he has again demonstrated his commitment to the people of Minnesota with a clear understanding of issues facing middle class Minnesota families and small businesses. For far too long, the state has used shifts and gimmicks to buck the responsibility of governing. After more than a decade of balancing the budget on the backs of Saint Paul taxpayers, this budget will create stability for the City of Saint Paul. The City of Saint Paul has a long tradition of partnership with the State of Minnesota. Governor Dayton’s budget renews this partnership and includes a number of critical investments that will continue to help Saint Paul remain the most livable city in America.” — St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman

“Governor Dayton understands that Minnesota is overdue for a balanced approach to our critical needs. We must reform our state government, which his administration has been working hard on, and provide incentives for local government to do the same. We must solve our budget deficits for the long run, without relying on gimmicks, and make state government financially sustainable. And we must make critical investments in growth in communities across Minnesota, including in transit solutions that will unclog our roads and unleash our businesses. I look forward to continuing to work with him and the Legislature to strike the right balance.” — Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak

“Governor Dayton’s budget begins to restore balance by reinvesting in priorities like education, infrastructure, and job creation. The budget pays for these investments with a tax reform plan that fixes a broken system and tips the scales back in favor of middle class families. Legislators have important choices to make that will impact all Minnesotans. Governor Dayton has provided them a roadmap that leads to a better Minnesota.” — Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson

“Educators throughout Minnesota share Gov. Mark Dayton’s goal of offering our students the best education in the world, from pre-K through higher education. We also understand that if we don’t start making those investments today, our students will be at a disadvantage in the global economy tomorrow.” — Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher

We strongly agree with Governor Dayton’s comment that ‘trying to cut our way to a better Minnesota is a failed experiment.’ What is needed more than ever is a balanced approach to end the era of chronic budget deficits. The budget gimmicks and a ‘cuts-only’ approach to government in the past have created the current economic mess Minnesotans face. We applaud Governor Dayton for his honesty, courage and determination to build a better Minnesota.” — Jim Monroe, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees

“We are all called on to contribute to our future prosperity. We thank the Governor for calling on all Minnesotans to pay their fair share and return our state to a place of national leadership for broad based prosperity, innovation, and ingenuity. Governor Dayton understands that in working together, in sharing our resources widely and investing in the people of our state – by reforming our tax system and expanding affordable, accessible health care – Minnesotans across our state have a better chance to prosper.” — Dan McGrath, Executive Director of TakeAction Minnesota

“While the next five months will be filled with difficult decisions, the governor’s bold, aggressive plan and willingness to work with legislature and a wide range of stakeholders helps ensure Minnesota is on the most progressive fiscal path in more than a generation.” — Minnesota 2020 Executive Director John Van Hecke and Fiscal Policy Director Jeff Van Wychen

“Governor Dayton has shown tremendous leadership and I applaud his positive vision for Minnesota’s future. The last decade of cuts, gimmicks, and no revenue has squeezed our middle class and has hurt our state’s chances for long-term prosperity. I share Governor Dayton’s priority of investing in education because a good education system is essential to developing the highly-skilled workforce that will attract and retain businesses for our state, and strengthen our middle class. I look forward to working with the governor and my colleagues in the legislature to build a brighter future and a better Minnesota.” — Assistant Majority Leader Rep. John Ward (DFL – Baxter)

“I applaud Governor Dayton’s leadership and his plan to position Minnesota for success in future. Efforts to reform health care, new investments to our education system, and improvements to public infrastructure will help Minnesota continue to thrive both now and in the future. I look forward to working with fellow legislators and the Governor on these issues throughout the session.” — Rep. Tina Liebling

“Governor Dayton has articulated a vision to move Minnesota forward. Like the Governor, I understand that the status quo isn’t acceptable to Minnesotans and that it’s time to try something different. I am glad to hear the Governor is focused on new investments in education and after school programs. This emphasis will help ensure Minnesota has the workforce it needs for the economy of tomorrow. I am excited to work with the Governor, the Speaker, and my colleagues to move Rochester and Minnesota ahead.” — Rep. Kim Norton

“Governor Dayton has laid out his priorities to help middle-class Minnesotans by investing in education, responsibly balancing the budget without borrowing or gimmicks and working to create jobs. I am encouraged that the governor is taking a new approach to these issues instead of the status quo that left us with budget deficits nine out of the last eleven years. I look forward to working with both Democrats and Republicans to put forward a fiscally responsible budget that helps Greater Minnesota by investing in our schools and nursing homes and providing property tax relief.” — State Representative Patti Fritz (DFL-Faribault)

“I’m happy to hear Governor Dayton talk about bringing financial stability to Minnesota. For years, we as a state have dealt with borrowing, shifting, and gimmicks to balance the budget. Big changes are necessary if we are going to create a budget that works for Minnesotans. We as legislators are responsible for ensuring the state is heading in the right direction. And we can only be a vibrant successful state if we invest in the things that make us great. I’m confident that investing in our communities and our schools will get us there.” — Rep. Shannon Savick

“It was great to hear Governor Dayton’s positive vision for how we build a better Minnesota. It’s clear that the status quo of cuts and disinvestment isn’t working, and for too long, we’ve delayed making the tough decisions and the important investments in areas like education, that will lead to a stronger economy and stronger middle class. I look forward to working with the governor and my colleagues in the legislature to build a brighter future and a better state.” — Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL – Eagan/Burnsville)

“Governor Dayton’s proposals attempt to structurally balance the budget and properly fund our priorities. Minnesota needs to be more fiscally responsible as we have faced a budget deficit nine out of the last eleven years. This has got to stop. Over the coming weeks and months we will be examining the Governor’s budget and other proposals as we work to address our fiscal issues. I look forward to working with Governor Dayton and members of both parties to make Minnesota a fiscally responsible state once again.” — State Representative Ron Erhardt (DFL-Edina)